LUCKNOW, Nov. 1 -- The UP Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a Mumbai-based man with seven rare falcons, collectively valued at approximately Rs.1.4 crore in the international market, while busting an alleged interstate wildlife smuggling racket in Lucknow. The accused, identified as Firoz Musarrat Khan, a resident of Byculla in Mumbai, was arrested from Iradat Nagar locality under Madeyganj police station limits around 7.30pm on October 30. Seven falcons, a mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were recovered from his possession, stated an STF release on Saturday. According to officials, Khan allegedly operated a gang involved in trafficking protected and restricted species of birds and wildlife. During interrogation, he reportedly told investigators that members of the gang sourced protected wildlife from forests in Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur districts before transporting them to Mumbai for international supply. The smuggled birds and wildlife were allegedly supplied to destinations including Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the STF said. The arrest followed intelligence inputs about a Mumbai resident allegedly involved in wildlife trafficking who was expected to arrive in Lucknow with protected species. An STF team led by sub-inspector Faizuddin Siddiqui, working under the supervision of ASP Avneeshwar Chandra Srivastava, coordinated with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau's Lucknow unit before arresting the accused. Falcons are among the species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which provides the highest level of legal protection to specified wildlife species. Tigers, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinoceroses and blackbucks are also included in this category. A case has been registered against Khan at Madeyganj police station under Sections 9, 39, 49, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972....